Communique - Cherbourg visit November 2024

The IMAC visited Cherbourg from 18-19 November 2024 as part of our ongoing commitment to engage with regional areas across Queensland to enhance our understanding of local crime issues and the impact on victims. Building on insights from our Townsville visit, we aim to ensure our advice to government continues to amplify the voices of victims and addresses their needs.

Whilst in Cherbourg, we met with a number of service providers including:

• Wakka Wakka Traditional Owners - we were privileged to receive a Welcome to Country and meet with some of the Traditional Owners of Cherbourg. We learned about the importance of acknowledging community history and the need for local programs that teach young people new habits, strategies, and perspectives to share with siblings, parents and carers.
• Cherbourg State School – we spoke with the principal, community engagement officer and the school captain about new initiatives introduced in previous years that have boosted enrolment and academic performance, including the introduction of a local education community board, giving parents a voice in their children's education.
• Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council – we heard from Cherbourg Mayor Bruce Simpson and the Council CEO Mr Chatur Zala about crime in the community. They explained how the Council collaborates with local services to address the root causes, such as poor health, lack of employment opportunities, and the impacts of domestic and family violence.
• Jumbunna (Cherbourg Youth Justice Centre) – we heard how they work closely with young people to address the underlying factors that contribute to offending.
• Gundoo Daycare Centre – we heard how the Centre focusses on providing holistic support to parents and children. They also partner with other programs including “Bush Kids” which visits weekly to assist families in enhancing children's abilities, inclusion, and participation in daily activities and community settings.
• Queensland Police Service – we learned about the critical role of community engagement, holistic support, and collaborative government efforts in addressing youth crime and social issues in Cherbourg. We also discussed key challenges such as inter-generational trauma, resource shortages and the need for a community-based policing model.
• Queensland Health (Darling Downs) – we learned of the importance of re-designing health services in the Darling Downs district to provide better access and options for First Nations peoples, highlighting the value of community choice, ongoing care, and the need for a community-led approaches in addressing health challenges in Cherbourg.
• Cherbourg Youth Advisory Group – we heard about their efforts in supporting young people aged 12-25 to find work and gain skills, while also discussing challenges such as lack of engagement with key services and perceived competition for funding amongst services.

IMAC members were also privileged to participate in a tour of the Ration Shed, a key cultural and historical site that provided valuable insights into Cherbourg’s rich history, culture, and resilience.

Through our discussions with 8 services, the key themes that IMAC members took away included:

• Mentoring and leadership – Elders and community leaders serve as crucial role models for young people, helping to strengthen their relationships within schools and across the broader community.
• Community-led initiatives - place-based, community-led initiatives help to empower communities and build capacity to address crime, highlighting the importance of justice reinvestment programs.
• Reframing community perception - the media can play a significant role in shaping public perception of a community.
• Early intervention and prevention – working with young people and their families earlier on in life can help to prevent long-term social and health issues.
• Funding Model Shift - implementing longer-term funding arrangements could enhance the certainty and consistency of service delivery by community-led organisations.
• Police response - implementing consistent and transparent local policing strategies can significantly enhance trust and relationships within the community. Collaborating directly with community leaders and Elders proves especially effective in addressing and responding to crime.
• Overcoming barriers – improved support for tasks like applying for a Blue Card and managing the implications of a person's criminal history can significantly improve employment opportunities.
• Addressing the causes of crime - poverty, social media, and inter-generational trauma contribute to criminality within a community.
• Local services - youth advisory groups and other services are vital in coordinating the transition from detention back into the community.
• Support for Victims and Offenders - community justice groups play a crucial role in guiding offenders through the criminal justice system and providing support to victims, including those impacted by domestic and family violence.

The IMAC will be writing to the Attorney-General to provide advice on four key issues impacting the Queensland justice system. This advice will focus on:

• prioritisation of early intervention and crime prevention
• increased coordination and collaboration between key agencies and services
• long-term, sustainable funding of supports and services and evaluation of those services
• community attitudes and perceptions.